Horizontal and Vertical Circulation of Salt Lake City Library

The Salt Lake City Public Library is a modern piece of architecture located in Salt Lake City, Utah. The structure is of concrete and glass and it offers a really nice space of recreation. It’s very sophisticated building but it’s very ecological, it depends on natural lighting, reducing the need of lights in the library. A huge five story glass wall is where most of the light comes from.

Otherwise, it includes many types of circulation. If we refer to vertical circulation, the second type means of it is the stair. Other feature of the library is the spiral grand staircase. This is used for steeper slopes. The comfort of the climb depends on the number of steps in a single run between landings and on the proportion of the tread width to the riser height. In this case, the stair is very comfortable and very attractive. It includes three elevators too. So, it includes the fourth means of vertical circulation. The designing of elevator doors and cabs is a real challenge to the architect. In this case, the elevators are of glass.

If we refer to horizontal circulation, it’s very convenient, clear and practical. The architect resolved the space in very simple way, establishing the relationship between the parts and the whole. The spaces are very good structured and they’re very aesthetic.

Personally, I really like it because it’s a public space and it makes feel to the community with high quality.